Shadow Boxing

Career

First Investigative Paranormalists

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on May 23, 2022

Paranormal claims are rife with fraud, as 19th-century psychologists discovered. The human brain had been exploited, but some incidents were not so easily dismissed.

Paranormal claims are rife with fraud, as 19th-century psychologists discovered. The human brain had been exploited, but some incidents were not so easily dismissed.

Law and Crime

What Drives the Desire for "Murderabilia"?

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on May 9, 2022

Why some people are so drawn to collecting items associated with killers and their crimes—and where the practice first started.

Why some people are so drawn to collecting items associated with killers and their crimes—and where the practice first started.

Neuroscience

Should Kids Who’ve Killed Get a Second Chance?

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on April 27, 2022

We should consider the impasse between the neuroscience that mitigates adolescent crimes and victim advocates who oppose sentencing relief.

We should consider the impasse between the neuroscience that mitigates adolescent crimes and victim advocates who oppose sentencing relief.

Psychopathy

Psychopathy and the Violation of Human Rights

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on April 18, 2022

As we watch reports of war atrocities and wonder about leaders who order or ignore such acts, we can learn from a study of psychopathy among a similar group from the past.

As we watch reports of war atrocities and wonder about leaders who order or ignore such acts, we can learn from a study of psychopathy among a similar group from the past.

Psychopathy

The Reluctant Accomplice and Temporary Psychopath

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on March 31, 2022

Reluctant accomplices on killing teams might suppress their normal feelings to comply, but there's hope for their eventual recovery.

Reluctant accomplices on killing teams might suppress their normal feelings to comply, but there's hope for their eventual recovery.

Suicide

Why It's Important to Recognize Unusual Suicides

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on March 14, 2022

The ways in which some people choose to end their lives can defy expectations. Consultants for the manner of death should be educated about these unique cases.

The ways in which some people choose to end their lives can defy expectations. Consultants for the manner of death should be educated about these unique cases.

Serial Killers

How Can We ID the Wannabe Serial Killer?

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on March 2, 2022

Kids who aspire to be serial killers exhibit four key traits and behaviors that signal their future risk for acting out.

Kids who aspire to be serial killers exhibit four key traits and behaviors that signal their future risk for acting out.

Family Dynamics

Brothers in Harms: How to Make a Murderer

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on February 14, 2022

Sets of brothers who separately become violent raise questions about bad seeds vs. family dynamics and abusive role models.

Sets of brothers who separately become violent raise questions about bad seeds vs. family dynamics and abusive role models.

Law and Crime

ShadowMan: FBIs Earliest Psychological Profile

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on February 1, 2022

A new book documents the earliest full FBI behavioral profile as a strategic portrait that defied traditional notions about offenders.

A new book documents the earliest full FBI behavioral profile as a strategic portrait that defied traditional notions about offenders.

Serial Killers

How Experts Extract Information From Serial Killers

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on January 24, 2022

The efforts that experts have undertaken to get confessions and life details from serial killers has collectively yielded tips for future interviews with others.

The efforts that experts have undertaken to get confessions and life details from serial killers has collectively yielded tips for future interviews with others.

Fantasies

The Serial Killer BTK and the Concept of Cubing

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on January 7, 2022

As I talk about my work with the "BTK" serial killer Dennis Rader, I hear the same two questions over and over. The answer to both is complicated.

As I talk about my work with the "BTK" serial killer Dennis Rader, I hear the same two questions over and over. The answer to both is complicated.

Media

High-Profile Crimes of 2021

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on December 31, 2021

Crime-watching in 2021 ranged from high-profile trials to missing women, school shootings, and cold case solutions.

Crime-watching in 2021 ranged from high-profile trials to missing women, school shootings, and cold case solutions.

Law and Crime

Forensic Figures, In Memoriam

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on December 29, 2021

With the passing of several key figures in the forensic world, I'm posting a list of those who influenced my work in forensic psychology and crime writing.

With the passing of several key figures in the forensic world, I'm posting a list of those who influenced my work in forensic psychology and crime writing.

Intelligence

The Top Skill of Successful Predators

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on December 10, 2021

Cognitive flexibility proves to be a component of superior decision-making in creative contexts. It works for predators as well.

Cognitive flexibility proves to be a component of superior decision-making in creative contexts. It works for predators as well.

Suicide

How Not to Stage Your Own "Murder"

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on November 24, 2021

A recent failed murder-for-hire scheme exposes just how little control a person who stages their own death actually has.

A recent failed murder-for-hire scheme exposes just how little control a person who stages their own death actually has.

Media

5 Reasons Why Kids Kill Kids

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on November 10, 2021

Kids who kill their peers may be influenced by cultural forces that depict murder as a justifiable means to an end.

Kids who kill their peers may be influenced by cultural forces that depict murder as a justifiable means to an end.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Cops and Cumulative PTSD

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on October 18, 2021

Law enforcement officers who experience numerous incidents of human trauma are vulnerable to a form of PTSD that can blindside them and leave them confused and depressed.

Law enforcement officers who experience numerous incidents of human trauma are vulnerable to a form of PTSD that can blindside them and leave them confused and depressed.

Suicide

Do Serial Killers Leave Clues About Their Crimes After They Die?

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on October 5, 2021

A suicide in France last week solved a series of cold cases and raised questions about killers who go uncaught.

A suicide in France last week solved a series of cold cases and raised questions about killers who go uncaught.

Grief

Cold Cases, Psychics, and Grief

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on September 22, 2021

A recent arrest in a famous cold case undermined psychic claims but didn't challenge the benefits that after-death communication can have for the bereaved.

A recent arrest in a famous cold case undermined psychic claims but didn't challenge the benefits that after-death communication can have for the bereaved.

Mating

Merging Into Murder

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on September 3, 2021

Emotional investment and certain mindsets can set up moral meltdown.

Emotional investment and certain mindsets can set up moral meltdown.